Christmas Dinner For Two
Cooking a small Christmas dinner? Here’s a menu to help plan your Christmas Dinner For Two including small batch recipes of your favorite Christmas dishes.
Now that the biggest food holiday of the year is over in the US, it’s time to start thinking about your Christmas Dinner For Two menu.
Although most people don’t host nearly as many people for Christmas dinner as they do for Thanksgiving, they still have family coming over.
But maybe that’s not you. Maybe it’s only you and your partner. Maybe it’s only you and your roommate. Maybe you’re unable to travel this year. Or maybe you simply don’t have a huge family.
I got you. I’ve been scaling down recipes for years.
You enjoyed my Thanksgiving Dinner For Two so much, I decided to write about Christmas dinner ideas for small families.
I promise you from the bottom of my heart (and stomach) these recipes are indeed scaled down for two people making about 2-4 helpings.
The other Christmas for two menus out there are mostly a lie. They talk about scaled down recipes but then tell you to make a 3.5 pound pot roast and “just refrigerate the leftovers!”
My small pork roast only calls for 1 pound meat while my mashed potatoes for two calls for 2 potatoes (NOT 5 pounds which I saw happen twice).
Most of the recipes will look familiar because there is a lot of overlap between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
However, I did swap out most of the desserts for gingerbread, peppermint, and eggnog.
This isn’t meant to be a full Christmas dinner for 2 menu; rather, I’m giving you choices to pick and choose. It’s like one of those build your own adventures books but with food!
The list of Christmas dinner for two ideas is at the bottom, but here is a breakdown of Christmas dinner ideas for a small family:
Christmas Drinks
Since you’ll be busy cooking, you don’t have to make drinks. Open a bottle of your favorite drink and pour.
However, you can make your Christmas dinner for 2 more special with Cranberry Sangria or Pomegranate Punch.
Not sure about finishing a whole bottle of wine? You can now buy little wine bottles, which is about 1-2 glasses.
Not a wine drinker? Serve a sparkling non-alcoholic drink, such as grape or apple juice. Or cozy up with Thick Hot Chocolate.
What To Make For Christmas Dinner
Thanksgiving dinner may be practically synonymous with turkey, but Christmas dinner is all about ham and lamb.
Of course ham usually comes in giant sizes. Luckily for us, we can make a honey glazed ham steak recipe so you’re not stuck with 10 pounds of leftovers.
Want to make lamb for Christmas? Make Lamb Chop Dinner for two complete with a pan sauce on top.
In the mood for poultry? Check out my recipes for turkey tenderloin and stuffed Cornish hen.
Another easy Christmas dinner for two is Small Pork Roast made in the oven or Instant Pot Pork Roast With Vegetables so you can cut down on cook time.
Don’t eat meat? No problem! Make my Stuffed Butternut Squash and Mushroom Gravy for a meatless Christmas dinner for 2.
Christmas Side Dishes
Personally I think Christmas side dishes are the best part!
Most recipes make roughly 4 servings (2 helpings each), so they’re perfect for your small Christmas dinner.
I usually opt for stove top scalloped potatoes or au gratin potatoes for two.
You can also make green bean casserole without mushroom soup ahead of time along with my small batch dinner rolls. Nothing says Christmas dinner for two like homemade bread!
Don’t forget the gravy! You can make either homemade gravy without drippings or pan gravy from drippings.
Christmas Desserts
Of course no Christmas dinner for two is complete without dessert!
December brings lots of peppermint, gingerbread, and eggnog.
It also brings lots of cookies. You can check out my recipes for Small Batch Christmas Cookies then learn how to make the best Christmas Cookie Tray to serve at the end of your meal.
Love gingerbread? Bake up a small Gingerbread Cake or Mini Gingerbread Cheesecakes.
A bit less traditional, but if you’re still in the mood for pumpkin, you can bake my Small Pumpkin Pie in a homemade small pie crust or opt for Small Pecan Pie.
Need something special for Christmas morning? Or maybe you’re tired of all the seasonal flavors? Check out my Small Coffee Cake recipe or 6 Inch Cheesecake recipe.
What To Do With Christmas Leftovers
Even though these small batch recipes are scaled down for two, you may still have leftovers from serving a mini feast.
If you still find yourself with leftover ham, use it up in Ham and Cheese Soup or Baked Eggs with Ham and Cheese.
You can also use leftover chicken or turkey in chicken pot pie for two.
Christmas Dinner For Two FAQ
Yes, you can prep in advance to save time. Desserts can be baked the day before, casseroles and gravy can be made then reheated, and vegetables can be chopped then refrigerated.
Start by halving or quartering it, rounding ingredients up or down as needed. You may also want to check on your dish about 5-10 minutes earlier than listed as smaller portions may cook slightly faster.
Not being around family for the holidays can be emotional. Make your dinner enjoyable by drinking your favorite wine, cooking a new dish together, or eating your favorite dessert.
Christmas Dinner For Two
Cooking a small Christmas dinner? Here’s a menu to help plan your Christmas Dinner For Two including small batch recipes of your favorite Christmas dishes.
Cranberry Sangria
Make your next holiday cocktail an easy one with Cranberry Orange Sangria made with red wine, cranberry juice, and oranges.
Sparkling Pomegranate Punch
Make your party less boring with small batch Sparkling Pomegranate Punch using prosecco for the bubbly factor! Recipe for a non-alcoholic pomegranate punch also included.
Honey Glazed Ham Steak
Honey Glazed Ham Steak with pineapple is fried on the stovetop, freeing up oven space for your side dishes.
Lamb Chop Dinner
This easy pan fried Lamb Chop Dinner For Two with a homemade pan sauce comes together quickly for a delicious home-cooked meal for Easter and Christmas.
Stuffed Cornish Hen
Don’t want to roast a whole turkey this year for Thanksgiving? Keep it small by roasting a Cornish Hen with Homemade Classic Stuffing.
Stuffed Turkey Breasts
When roasting a whole turkey is too much food, make Thanksgiving Stuffed Turkey Breast For Two with caramelized onion cranberry stuffing and turkey pan gravy.
Turkey Tenderloin
This Turkey Tenderloin recipe is a juicy turkey breast slathered with herb butter then roasted in under an hour until perfection. Afterwards you make a flavorful turkey gravy with the drippings to pour over top. It’s the ideal size to make for your Thanksgiving for two.
Stuffed Butternut Squash
Looking for a hearty vegetarian main dish? Roast up these Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash filled with cranberry rice, pecans, and chickpeas.
Small Pork Roast
Enjoy a classic Sunday dinner for two without the leftovers by cooking Pork Roast For Two in the oven with vegetables and gravy.
Instant Pot Pork Roast With Vegetables
Looking for a faster way to cook a pork loin roast? Learn how to make Instant Pot Pork Roast For Two with vegetables and gravy.
Small Batch Dinner Rolls
These fluffy Small Batch Dinner Rolls are made from scratch using yeast then brushed with homemade honey butter on top.
Mashed Potatoes For Two
Tired of leftover mashed potatoes? Learn how to scale them down with creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes For Two!
Stovetop Scalloped Potatoes
What do you do when there’s not enough room in the oven to bake a holiday side dish? Learn how to cook homemade Easy Cheesy Stovetop Scalloped Potatoes from scratch in a cheddar cheese sauce to save oven space.
Au Gratin Potatoes For Two
Plenty of garlic and cheese in this Garlic Parmesan Au Gratin Potatoes recipe with layers of thinly sliced potatoes, Parmesan cheese, and garlic.
Green Bean Casserole Without Mushroom Soup
Easy homemade Green Bean Casserole Without Mushroom Soup from scratch using frozen green beans, fresh mushrooms, and sour cream
Green Beans with Almonds
Looking for an easy small batch side dish? Learn how to make these healthy Green Beans with Almonds and Olives!
Homemade Gravy (Without Meat Drippings)
Homemade Gravy Without Meat Drippings is an easy from scratch gravy recipe made without meat drippings so you don’t have to wait for the meat to be done.
Homemade Pan Gravy With Drippings
Homemade Pan Gravy With Drippings is an easy from scratch gravy recipe made with pan drippings so you can make a delicious sauce for your roasted meat. Make it for Sunday Supper or for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.
Mushroom Gravy
Vegan Mushroom Gravy is an easy from scratch homemade gravy recipe made with mushrooms, onion, and garlic.
Sweet Potato Casserole For Two
Sweet Potato Casserole For Two with mini marshmallows and chopped pecans on top
Small Pecan Pie
Small Pecan Pie from scratch in a 6 inch pie pan! Recipe includes homemade pie crust that stays crispy and flaky after baking.
Mini Gingerbread Cheesecakes
Creamy Small Batch Mini Gingerbread Cheesecakes combine the rich flavors of gingerbread and cheesecake into one handheld treat for Christmas.
Small Gingerbread Cake
This small 6 Inch Gingerbread Cake recipe made from scratch without cake mix is a moist and fluffy cake that tastes like Christmas in every bite.
Small Batch Chocolate Gingerbread Cupcakes
These small batch Chocolate Gingerbread Cupcakes with homemade cream cheese frosting makes 6 cupcakes.
Small Coffee Cake Recipe
This Small Coffee Cake recipe without sour cream is light and fluffy with fresh blueberries and a buttery streusel crumble topping.
6 Inch Cheesecake Recipe
Looking to bake a small cheesecake? My 6 Inch Cheesecake recipe is a creamy dessert for two ideal for any occasion.
Small Pumpkin Pie
Cooking Thanksgiving for two? Bake Small Pumpkin Pie from scratch in a 6 inch pie pan! Recipe includes substitute for evaporated milk.
Apple Pie For Two
Double Crusted Apple Pie For Two baked in ramekins with a homemade pie crust and apple pie filling. No special 6 inch pie pan needed!
Best Small Batch Christmas Cookie Recipes
Love to bake cookies from scratch? Here are the Best Small Batch Christmas Cookie Recipes to add to your cookie tray this holiday season.
Small Batch Gingerbread Cookies with Eggless Royal Icing
Get ready for cookie season with Small Batch Gingerbread Cookies made without shortening and decorated with an eggless royal icing.
Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft and chewy with a bit of spice and fresh ginger, these small batch Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies will be Santa’s new favorite Christmas cookie.
First published December 2, 2019
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Appreciate all your small-batch recipes, Carla. Great choices for the holiday. Do you have a roast beef for two?
No I do not, but I think that’s a wonderful idea! I’ll write it down and work on a recipe.
Appreciate all your small-batch recipes, Carla. Great choices for the holiday.
Happy to share them!
I love your recipes, especially the casseroles. These days it’s just my husband and me so I really appreciate having great recipes downsized for two. Thanks!
Happy to share my recipes with you!